Just ordered my RP shifter
06-21-2005, 10:11 AM
#1
National Beer of Texas
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Deep in the heart of...
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just ordered my RP (AFE) shifter
As the title says...
Can't wait to get that shifter in... hopefully it will let me smooth out my 1-2 shift... I still haven't figured out how to get that smooth when driving for economy. With my last 6 speed being a BWT56, the RX's shifter is already heaven in comparison... I'm giddy that this shift kit improves that feeling even more...
Can't wait to get that shifter in... hopefully it will let me smooth out my 1-2 shift... I still haven't figured out how to get that smooth when driving for economy. With my last 6 speed being a BWT56, the RX's shifter is already heaven in comparison... I'm giddy that this shift kit improves that feeling even more...
Last edited by Longhornxtreme; 07-05-2005 at 06:40 PM.
06-21-2005, 10:35 AM
#3
National Beer of Texas
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Deep in the heart of...
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
06-21-2005, 02:41 PM
#4
Originally Posted by Longhornxtreme
As the title says...
Can't wait to get that shifter in... hopefully it will let me smooth out my 1-2 shift... I still haven't figured out how to get that smooth when driving for economy. With my last 6 speed being a BWT56, the RX's shifter is already heaven in comparison... I'm giddy that this shift kit improves that feeling even more...
Can't wait to get that shifter in... hopefully it will let me smooth out my 1-2 shift... I still haven't figured out how to get that smooth when driving for economy. With my last 6 speed being a BWT56, the RX's shifter is already heaven in comparison... I'm giddy that this shift kit improves that feeling even more...
Anyone who has a light flywheel notice this helps? Philodox are you out there? He has both the shifter and a light wheel.
And your shifter is on the way, I just E mailed your tracking number to you.
06-21-2005, 05:18 PM
#5
National Beer of Texas
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Deep in the heart of...
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you kindly Richard! That's sure speedy shipping!
I think its more of a momentum type issue... I'm trying to shift just shy of 4k rpm and the rpm's are just dropping too quickly and the car itself loses momentum much more than say 2-3 or 3-4 which are by comparison SOOO much easier to nail smoothly... without feathering.
PS. Is there a certain grease you recommend to use with your shifter? Or is that provided in the kit?
I think its more of a momentum type issue... I'm trying to shift just shy of 4k rpm and the rpm's are just dropping too quickly and the car itself loses momentum much more than say 2-3 or 3-4 which are by comparison SOOO much easier to nail smoothly... without feathering.
PS. Is there a certain grease you recommend to use with your shifter? Or is that provided in the kit?
Last edited by Longhornxtreme; 06-21-2005 at 05:21 PM.
06-22-2005, 08:47 PM
#6
Rotary addict
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Virginia
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Good choice. I think this shifter is my favorite mod (not that I have that many yet). It's amazing what a difference it makes. A buddy of mine just bought a Z4 and Richard's shifter makes the one in it look like a total joke. I honestly couldn't believe it when I drove it. So much for German engineering Anyway, you'll love it.
Anyway, you'll love it.
06-22-2005, 10:27 PM
#7
Storm Trooper
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Freakmont, CA
Posts: 3,908
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I had that same problem prior to installing the shifter. Its much better now, however I have problems putting it into 6th gear 1/3 of the time. But I wouldn't trade my shifter for anything, I love it.
06-23-2005, 12:29 AM
#8
Originally Posted by Moostafa29
I had that same problem prior to installing the shifter. Its much better now, however I have problems putting it into 6th gear 1/3 of the time. But I wouldn't trade my shifter for anything, I love it.
You may need to trim the reverse tab a small amount. By that I mean .010" just a few swipes with a file. It's a car by car deal a very few fall into this space. I've taken .005" off this next batch, but I think that isn't enough to really do anything. I'm shy of taking much off for some cars go the other way.
You know how when you cut it off twice and it's still too short?
Don't want to do that so trial fit it carefully.
06-23-2005, 09:43 AM
#10
Originally Posted by black-rx8-msbodykit
hey ricahrd i got ur shifter, does it come with a instruction? I never install a shifter before, is it easy?
Everyone heeps praise on 'Mez for this one, including myself. It should be about 20 min for a first timer. Just be carfull of the cursed tab. 
If not for that and the wire holders it would take 10min. Some people have combined it into a single something or other. Whatever that is I don't know, but it is supposed to be good.
06-23-2005, 10:00 PM
#13
I am considering this shifter and am wondering if it makes any more noise than the stock unit.
I have installed shifters in other cars before and was always unhappy with the gear noise that entered the car. These shifters would remove the stock bushings to provide better shifting.
I have installed shifters in other cars before and was always unhappy with the gear noise that entered the car. These shifters would remove the stock bushings to provide better shifting.
06-23-2005, 10:07 PM
#14
Recovered Modaholic
There is a little more gear noise with the elimination of the slopulator in the OEM shifter but I think it adds personality of the car. Definitely not enough added noise to be an annoying.
06-24-2005, 04:35 PM
#16
Recovered Modaholic
Originally Posted by redish 8
i have no idea what the RP do can anyone tell me ??
and is it easy to install by yourself??
and is it easy to install by yourself??
06-24-2005, 06:40 PM
#17
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Riverside, CA
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just ordered mine today. Being patient.
I don't think it's going to be shipped until monday though. Too bad for me.
Being Patient.
Twiddle...twiddle...twiddle.
Good buy, no, I mean it. good buy.
Bill
I don't think it's going to be shipped until monday though. Too bad for me.
Being Patient.
Twiddle...twiddle...twiddle.
Good buy, no, I mean it. good buy.
Bill
Last edited by maxrx8; 06-25-2005 at 12:52 AM.
06-24-2005, 07:53 PM
#18
Rotary eXperimental-8
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Gander, Newfoundland, Canada
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I ordered it a long, long time ago, but I just got around to install it today. Very easy to do by yourself. It shouldn't take any longer than 45 minutes if you have all the tools handy. I took the car out for a spin and see what the difference was like. WOW! it's amazing! I think it is God's gift for the RX-8! Best purchase for the car in my opinion. Before the modification, I've always had trouble doing the 1-2 shift. It was always either slow, so that it was smooth, or normal shift and be jerky. For those that think the stock shifter is already short enough with the throws...you'll be in for a real treat. The way it glides into each gear before is only accentuated with this mod. It 'clicks' into gear even more so than before.
As soon as I pulled out of the driveway and shifted into 2nd gear, I was amazed that I could shift so smoothly! At first, I thought it was just a coincidence, but after 10 minutes of city driving I knew it was definitely the new shifter. It's to the point where my 1-2 shift is seamless.
When I took it out onto the highway to check all the gears I noticed a lot more transmission noise coming from the shifter area. I wasn't sure if I had installed it wrong or not, until I came back and read that you guys were experiencing the same thing. Don't really like that part, but the shorter throws and my smoother 1-2 shift is more than worth the extra noise in my opinion.
As soon as I pulled out of the driveway and shifted into 2nd gear, I was amazed that I could shift so smoothly! At first, I thought it was just a coincidence, but after 10 minutes of city driving I knew it was definitely the new shifter. It's to the point where my 1-2 shift is seamless.
When I took it out onto the highway to check all the gears I noticed a lot more transmission noise coming from the shifter area. I wasn't sure if I had installed it wrong or not, until I came back and read that you guys were experiencing the same thing. Don't really like that part, but the shorter throws and my smoother 1-2 shift is more than worth the extra noise in my opinion.
06-24-2005, 09:44 PM
#19
Try taking that green fuzzy cone shaped insulator out. I know it sounds crazy but it works. It will get rid of the noise. Most of it anyway.
The way to prove this is to loosen the shift ****. If the noise gets less and less as you loosen the **** then remove the insulator. Hell remove it anyway. I can't hear mygearbox unless I hold ir against the syncros. I just had Guitar Junkie in the car all day and I had to tell him the shifter was installed. I then asked him to listen for noise with the radio off and the windows up he could n't tell it from stock. Write and ask him if you like. My shifter is off the shelf and I only installed it once never opened it again. There are also two local cars around here that I see once in awhile. Fanmans car is down the street right now waiting for his return. They put a shifter in it for him while he is gone. We shall see what it sounds like this week I think he cimes back.
I have not ridden in a car that the owner thinks it is noisy. I wish that I could so I see what they are talking about. Try what I said above and let us know. I'm glad you liked the shifter otherwise.
The way to prove this is to loosen the shift ****. If the noise gets less and less as you loosen the **** then remove the insulator. Hell remove it anyway. I can't hear mygearbox unless I hold ir against the syncros. I just had Guitar Junkie in the car all day and I had to tell him the shifter was installed. I then asked him to listen for noise with the radio off and the windows up he could n't tell it from stock. Write and ask him if you like. My shifter is off the shelf and I only installed it once never opened it again. There are also two local cars around here that I see once in awhile. Fanmans car is down the street right now waiting for his return. They put a shifter in it for him while he is gone. We shall see what it sounds like this week I think he cimes back.
I have not ridden in a car that the owner thinks it is noisy. I wish that I could so I see what they are talking about. Try what I said above and let us know. I'm glad you liked the shifter otherwise.
06-24-2005, 10:13 PM
#20
Recovered Modaholic
I too would like to hear what people are referring to. I went back and forth from stock to RP a few times and on my car it's more of a change in noise than a louder noise. I removed some of the stuffing when I installed the LED shift **** so maybe that's the reason I don't have it.
06-25-2005, 08:15 AM
#21
Rotary eXperimental-8
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Gander, Newfoundland, Canada
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Richard Paul
Try taking that green fuzzy cone shaped insulator out. I know it sounds crazy but it works. It will get rid of the noise. Most of it anyway.
The way to prove this is to loosen the shift ****. If the noise gets less and less as you loosen the **** then remove the insulator. Hell remove it anyway. I can't hear mygearbox unless I hold ir against the syncros. I just had Guitar Junkie in the car all day and I had to tell him the shifter was installed. I then asked him to listen for noise with the radio off and the windows up he could n't tell it from stock. Write and ask him if you like. My shifter is off the shelf and I only installed it once never opened it again. There are also two local cars around here that I see once in awhile. Fanmans car is down the street right now waiting for his return. They put a shifter in it for him while he is gone. We shall see what it sounds like this week I think he cimes back.
I have not ridden in a car that the owner thinks it is noisy. I wish that I could so I see what they are talking about. Try what I said above and let us know. I'm glad you liked the shifter otherwise.
The way to prove this is to loosen the shift ****. If the noise gets less and less as you loosen the **** then remove the insulator. Hell remove it anyway. I can't hear mygearbox unless I hold ir against the syncros. I just had Guitar Junkie in the car all day and I had to tell him the shifter was installed. I then asked him to listen for noise with the radio off and the windows up he could n't tell it from stock. Write and ask him if you like. My shifter is off the shelf and I only installed it once never opened it again. There are also two local cars around here that I see once in awhile. Fanmans car is down the street right now waiting for his return. They put a shifter in it for him while he is gone. We shall see what it sounds like this week I think he cimes back.
I have not ridden in a car that the owner thinks it is noisy. I wish that I could so I see what they are talking about. Try what I said above and let us know. I'm glad you liked the shifter otherwise.
06-25-2005, 06:59 PM
#23
rock-->o<--hard place
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Canberra, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 3,242
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
CAn I just say, on the noise issue -- I haven't noticed it much, but there was a marked improvement after I changed the gearbox oil (@45,000k)
07-05-2005, 06:38 PM
#25
National Beer of Texas
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Deep in the heart of...
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I finally got the chance to install the shifter...
My oh my... Its WONDERFUL in its feel. Its very rifle bolt in quality... not slushy at all
However... I'm one of those unlucky ones where there's a buncha noise in 2nd.... Taking out the green insulation really did help... but its still there... I'm wondering if its because we don't use some sort of sealant on the lower boot... I noticed it was attached with some sort of sealer when I gently pried it off... I'm gonna go buy some silicon sealant sometime soon and see if that helps with the sound... other than that I can't imagine where noise is coming from... perhaps the upper shift boot attachment is creating the noise... which is why the green insulation's removal might've lessened the noise.
My oh my... Its WONDERFUL in its feel. Its very rifle bolt in quality... not slushy at all
However... I'm one of those unlucky ones where there's a buncha noise in 2nd.... Taking out the green insulation really did help... but its still there... I'm wondering if its because we don't use some sort of sealant on the lower boot... I noticed it was attached with some sort of sealer when I gently pried it off... I'm gonna go buy some silicon sealant sometime soon and see if that helps with the sound... other than that I can't imagine where noise is coming from... perhaps the upper shift boot attachment is creating the noise... which is why the green insulation's removal might've lessened the noise.